Instructional Professor (Open Rank) in Fundamentals: Issues & Texts Program

The College in the University of Chicago is seeking a full-time Instructional Professor (open rank) to fulfill curricular and advising needs in Fundamentals: Issues and Texts, an undergraduate major that currently serves ~65 students in the College. Students in Fundamentals structure their education around an open-ended question of their own design. Students’ approaches are informed by coursework that focuses on single texts (or a set of tightly-grouped texts) taught by faculty in a range of disciplines including—but not limited to—philosophy, literature, political theory, religion, and history. The major requires that students read at least one foreign language at a high level in order to gain access to, and appreciation of, non-Anglophone cultures. In keeping with the program’s founding ambitions, Fundamentals encourages students to study texts from non-Western traditions. Their course of study culminates first in a Junior Paper that consists of a textual exegesis; in their Senior year, students take a series of exams, tailored to their self-designed program, intended to explore the whole range of their studies in Fundamentals.

The successful candidate for this position will hold a PhD in any discipline that centrally relies on textual hermeneutics. The candidate should demonstrate broad professional training in humanistic study that allows them to teach students, and interact with faculty, working in a number of disciplinary, geographic and chronological frameworks. The candidate will be expected to teach a range of courses that count towards students’ major requirements; advise students about relevant course offerings across a number of divisions and departments at the University of Chicago; guide students through the milestones in the program; participate, in conjunction with faculty, in the assessment of students’ written work; write letters of recommendation for students; and assist with the organization of program events. The normal teaching load for Instructional Professors at the University of Chicago (7 courses per year) will be adjusted to reflect these advising and administrative duties. Course assignments and other duties of the Program Coordinator will be determined annually by the Faculty Director of the Fundamentals Program.

The appointment will begin on September 1, 2024. The initial appointment is for a two-year term, and is renewable.

Minimum qualifications are a PhD in a related field, and experience teaching at the university or post-secondary level.  Experience in program development and/or coordination preferred.

Applicants should submit their applications through the University of Chicago’s Interfolio website, http://apply.interfolio.com/137468 and upload a cover letter; a current CV; an article-length writing sample; a 500-word teaching statement which addresses the applicant’s values and priorities as a teacher; and three letters of recommendation.  Short-listed candidates will be asked to provide sample syllabi and teaching evaluations.

Applications are due January 14, 2024.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.

The position is contingent upon budgetary approval.

This position will be part of the Service Employees International Union.

Please contact Paul Cheney (cheney@uchicago.edu) with any questions.

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.